Oncofetal Trophoblast Glycoprotein 5T4 (TPBG)

Oncofetal Trophoblast Glycoprotein 5T4 (TPBG), also known as trophoblast glycoprotein or WAIF1, is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed in embryonic trophoblast cells and overexpressed in a wide range of human carcinomas. It plays a role in regulating cell motility and invasion by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and potentiates chemotaxis. TPBG inhibits canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling and favors non-canonical pathways. Its restricted tumor-associated expression makes it an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy, with therapeutic approaches including cancer vaccines, antibody-drug conjugates, and CAR-T therapies under investigation.

Other names

Trophoblast glycoproteinWAIF1Carcinoembryonic protein 5T4

Various, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), cancer vaccines, tumor-targeted superantigen therapies, and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CAR-T). These strategies aim to exploit the restricted tumor-associated expression profile to minimize off-tumor toxicity while maximizing anti-tumor efficacy.